Pearl Jam fans converge on DCU Center for concert

Tuesday

Oct 15, 2013 at 3:00 PMOct 15, 2013 at 9:35 PM

By Scott J. Croteau TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

WORCESTER — Every time Patrick Arnold hops in his boss's truck, there is one mainstay, Pearl Jam music on the radio. So when he was given the option of going to work or going to today's Pearl Jam concert at the DCU Center, Mr. Arnold made the easy choice.

Shortly after noon today, Mr. Arnold and his construction business boss, Todd Olson, joined a group of general admission ticket-holders outside the DCU Center — all hoping to get up close at tonight's show. The earlier people got in line, the better chance they had to be near the stage.

Pearl Jam, one of the first acts at the upgraded DCU Center, stormed the music scene in the early 1990s, drawing a passionate and dedicated fan base. Mr. Olson, 41, of Yarmouth, wasn't going to pass up a chance to see them up close.

"I'm excited about the general admission, getting here early and getting as close as I possibly can," Mr. Olson said. "This is my opportunity to get to that front row or close to it."

This will be the first Pearl Jam concert for Mr. Arnold, 34, a former Worcester State University football player who now lives in Dennis.

The excitement for the show, slated to begin at 7:30 p.m., was palpable outside the DCU Center. The show coincides with the release of the band's new album, "Lightning Bolt."

The sold-out Worcester concert has drawn fans from as far away as Germany. There is another show tomorrow night.

The hands of general admission ticket-holders were marked with a number indicating their place in line.

Sitting in a chair with his dark sunglasses, Greg Herman looked down at the number "5" on his hand. He had come from Wisconsin to enjoy the band's first tour in the United States in a couple of years.

"I got here at 5:30 a.m.," the 41-year-old said. "They put on a great show. Every night is a different show. You never know what they're going to bring to the table."

Fans wearing Pearl Jam shirts waited patiently as they snacked on pizza and other goodies. Some fans waited in another line to receive a limited edition poster.

Mr. Herman drove down from Buffalo, where he saw Pearl Jam play Saturday. He also caught the concert in Pittsburgh. Next month, Mr. Herman will head to Dallas, Oklahoma City, Phoenix and San Diego.

With Pearl Jam music playing on a small set of speakers at their feet, childhood friends Matt Simon and Matt Zuvela played Scrabble to pass the time. The two 29-year-olds grew up outside of Seattle, the city where Pearl Jam was formed.

Mr. Simon now lives in Boston, so the trip wasn't that long. Mr. Zuvela, who now lives in Germany, paid roughly $800 for a flight to get here.

The flight, the cash and the wait are all worth it, Mr. Zuvela said.

"It is like a different experience every time," he said. "You get a different mix of songs. Tonight we are going to get songs we never heard live before."